128



Bird Notes from the Zoological Gardens.



In spite of his devotion, however, the parting with his off¬

spring did not seem to be a very bitter one, for, when I removed

them from his charge, he seemed a little perturbed for just a few

minutes and then went off contentedly with Sarah, and forgot, I

presume, all about the children he had reared with such care.


It was extraordinarily interesting to watch Abraham and

his charges, for, apart from the pleasure of observing the habits

of the young, the fact that such a reversal of ordinarily maternal

and paternal duties was taking place, added a constant interest

and amusement to the proceeding.


The young Rheas had no shelter so long as the weather

was fairly fine. When they got about a month old they were

brought into a very large yard, where there was grass growing

and hovels all round, and at night a partition of hurdles was put

up in one corner, and they were driven under with Abraham,

who soon got to know his sleeping quarters. They were turned

into the orchard by day.



BIRD NOTES FROM THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.


By The Curator.


There is little to record in the way of arrivals for the

past month. A Naked-throated Bell Bird, and a pair each of

Mantchurian Crossoptilons, Cabot’s Tragopans, Brazilian, Blue¬

winged and Versicolor Teal being the most important. A very

interesting bird, the Nacunda Goatsucker (Podager nacunda) was

received from a sailor who captured it at sea off the coast of

Brazil, and is the first of its kind to reach the gardens. It was

apparently injured on arrival but lived for nearly three weeks.


The word Nacunda , according to Azara, is the Indian

nickname for a person with a very large mouth.


This Nightjar is found throughout the whole of South

America, where it is gregarious. It is said never to perch on

trees, being an inhabitant of the open pampas.


Cereopsis Geese, hailing as they do from Australia, have a

habit of choosing our winter for nesting. Our pair which

successfully reared a young bird in 1909, are now busy in building

a nest and we hope they may be successful in rearing a brood.



